From CHS Ultimate Frisbee:
CHS Ultimate Frisbee announced its Ultimate Founders’ Day 2026, with a full-day celebration on Saturday, November 28, 2026 honoring the birthplace of Ultimate Frisbee and the generations of players who continue to grow the sport in the South Orange-Maplewood community.
This year’s festivities will feature an impressive lineup of returning CHS alumni, professional Ultimate players, and coaches, along with a free youth clinic, the annual Varsity vs. Alumni game, and a community-wide hat tournament.
Youth Clinic Led by CHS Alum & Tech Creator Marques Brownlee and NY Empire Coach Anthony Nuñez
This year’s event welcomes back an extraordinary group of Ultimate talent with deep ties to the community. Maplewood native Marques Brownlee, internationally known tech creator (MKBHD) and professional Ultimate player for the NY Empire, returns alongside longtime Ultimate leader and NY Empire head coach Anthony Nuñez, whose coaching career began at Columbia High School in 1998.
They will be joined by other standout CHS Ultimate alumni, including 2025 Callahan Award winner Dexter Clyburn, NY Gridlock player Nikki Hair, and Sydney and Sabrina Mannion. Together, these accomplished athletes and coaches will lead a FREE youth clinic for ages 12–18, offering young players the opportunity to learn from some of the sport’s best talent, right here in the community where Ultimate began. Registration is required.
Location: Underhill Sports Complex, 58 Burr Road, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Schedule of Events:
9:30 – 11:00 AM: FREE Youth Ultimate Clinic (ages 12–18) — Registration required
11:15 AM – 1:30 PM: CHS Varsity vs. Alumni Game — Registration required
1:45 PM: Alumni Game Awards and Photos
2:00 – 4:20 PM: Community Hat Tournament (ages 14+) — Registration required
5:00 PM: Gates close
Food trucks and local vendors will be available throughout the day.
Photo from Columbia High School Founders Day 2025 at Underhill Sports Complex. (Photo by Jen Voce-Nelson)
More than five decades after Ultimate Frisbee was invented at Columbia High School in 1968, the community continues to celebrate its remarkable place in the sport’s history. Ultimate is a unique sport that combines athleticism, teamwork, and a strong sense of community. At its heart is Spirit of the Game, a commitment to fair play and mutual respect that allows players to compete at the highest levels without referees. It’s a fast-paced, exciting game, but what really sets it apart is the culture of sportsmanship and camaraderie among players.
Ultimate pioneers and CHS alumni Joe Barbanel and Ed Summers, both members of the Ultimate Hall of Fame, helped carry the game from its Maplewood beginnings to a sport now played around the world. Their contributions helped establish a legacy that continues to thrive in our community today. Generations of CHS players have carried that tradition forward, competing at the highest levels while embracing the values that make Ultimate special. Founders’ Day brings those generations together, celebrating the people who helped create the sport, the players who continue to shape it, and the community where it all began.
The annual Varsity vs. Alumni Game brings that legacy to life as past and present CHS players compete. This year’s matchup promises to be especially exciting with the launch of CHS Ultimate’s first-ever Varsity Mixed team. With a new generation of talent taking the field, current CHS players are hoping this might finally be the year they defeat the alumni!
The afternoon continues with the Community Hat Tournament, open to players ages 14 and older. Participants are assigned to mixed teams, creating a welcoming opportunity for current players, alumni, friends, and community members to enjoy the game together, regardless of team affiliation.
Food, Music and Community Fun
Beyond the action on the field, Ultimate Founders’ Day offers something for the entire community. Local favorites The Sandwicheria, Cruzanusvi BBQ, and Cereal Dreams will serve food, hot drinks, and treats throughout the day. DJ Lou will provide music, while local photographer Jen Voce-Nelson, official photographer of NY Gridlock, will capture the day’s highlights.
Ultimate Founders’ Day is FREE and open to the public. The youth clinic and alumni game are free to participate in, while the hat tournament is pay-what-you-can, with a suggested contribution of $20 which goes toward supporting the event.
Advance registration is required for all on-field activities. For more information and to register, visit CHS Ultimate’s registration page. Come celebrate the past, present, and future of Ultimate Frisbee in the place where it all began!
